Health

Health: Courageous Kids Calendar

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Bonnie Pontell is relieved that her three year old daughter Shoshana is so active. Brother Joshua is seven and also full of energy. But it hasn't always been this way. Both children had cancer just a couple of years ago.

"Our first child being diagnosed with cancer was shocking. Our second child being diagnosed with cancer was like lightening striking twice in the same place," said Bonnie.

They were diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a rare type of kidney cancer, and got treated at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"I was very sick. Her got the same kidney boo boo," said Joshua.

Over the past few years drawing has helped them get through rough times. Now they're giving back. Their art is part of the 2008 Courageous Kids Calendar.

"It is a way for them to express their experience and to really show how courageous they are and how strong they are and how brave they are as they're going through something nobody would ever sign up for," said Dr. Julie Stern, an oncologist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She says all of the money raised by selling the calendar will help kids being treated for cancer at the hospital.

"It allows us to provide ancillary services for our patients including social work, child life, um some of the money goes towards research," said Dr. Stern.

The Pontell family is happy to be able to help other children and hopefully give them brighter days ahead.

"I do want them to get better. Definitely," said Joshua.

"I'd like to eradicate pediatric cancer but it takes money. And it takes research. And it takes time," said Bonnie. Both Joshua and Shoshana are doing well and are now cancer free.

The calendars cost ten dollars and are available at the hospital or any Citibank location in the Philadelphia area. They can be shipped for an additional five dollars, but they most likely won't arrive before Christmas.

CHOP Courageous Kids Calendar: http://www.chop.edu/consumer/news/story.jsp?id=87266

Citibank Locations:  http://www.citibank.com/us/index.htm

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